This last year and more importantly on October 2nd, I was lucky enough to be the Maid of Honor in my besties wedding! It was a year of craziness and love and I enjoyed every moment! To start off my MOH blog series – I wanted to share the speech I wrote for Julia and Keegan on their wedding day.
The speech to my best friend on her wedding day:
“I hope you all are having a lovely evening so far and I want to thank you all for taking the time to be here. I first want to extend a heartfelt congratulations to the newlyweds. Julia and Keegan, the day is finally here, and it has been nothing short of what you dreamed it would be. It has been such an honor planning and celebrating with you both throughout this last year and I thank you Julia for having me stand with you today as this next chapter of your life begins.
Now, if you don’t know me, you’re probably at the wrong wedding because these two have been stuck with me constantly being around for the last 7 years.
Julia and I first met freshman year of high school, throughout those high school years, our friendship grew, we found each other sticking together through the hardships of our teenage years, leaning on one another, going to sporting events to watch our boyfriends, and taking several trips to grab coffee or go shopping. It wasn’t until we went off to college at Ball State together, that we really became best friends. It is hard to put into words how much Julia’s friendship truly means to me. I feel so blessed with the timing Julia’s friendship has placed in my life. She’s been my shoulder to cry on, my cheerleader, my listening ear, and my best friend. When Julia asked me to be her Maid of honor, I was filled with joy, I could not think of a higher honor than to stand next to my best friend on her big day. From being on the receiving end of Julia’s love, I’ve learned that when you face success she will celebrate you, when you face loss, she will hold you (even when she doesn’t like hugs), when you want an adventure she’ll go with you, and when you need to laugh, she’s there to lift you up. I wish everyone was lucky enough to have a Julia in their life. She is the most considerate, loving, and loyal friend I could ever ask for. She is the type of woman to go to the extra mile for those she loves most no matter the situation and I know for a fact she will go that extra mile every day in being the best wife she can be to Keegan.
Although I didn’t get to see the start of Julia and Keegan’s relationship in middle school, I’ve gotten to see the way their relationship has shaped them in their young adult lives. I remember when Julia just HAD to have a French bulldog and driving with her and Keegan to go pick up Luna. Since that day, I have seen Julia and Keegan work as a team in raising that crazy little bulldog. Through tackling training Luna and discovering her insane love of toys, I watched them become a family. The pair they make is truly one of a kind, and the love they share is rare to find in this world. They love deeply and patiently, they communicate with optimism and sincerity, and they live life together fiercly and loyally.
While I love the relationship Julia has with Keegan, I honestly never thought I’d have my own friendship with Keegan. The last four years have been spent going on double dates, nights in playing cards, tailgating home football games and constantly laughing with one another. Keegan’s not just my best friend’s husband, but a man I am glad to also call a friend. One of my favorite things about Keegan is that with him, Julia is never alone. As her best friend, during every moment of excitement, sadness, or confusion I try my best to be there, and I always find Keegan there too. Keegan considers Julia’s feelings thoroughly and cares for her passionately. I couldn’t imagine anyone better for my best friend to spend the rest of her days with.
Throughout these years I’ve always known the love Keegan and Julia have, but I haven’t really seen how deep it runs until this last year. Since the day Keegan called me to tell me he was proposing to Julia, I have seen the genuine love and thought Keegan has put into every step he’s taken in this journey. I’ve seen the tears of joy and laughs of excitement from Julia after reaching every milestone leading up to today. But one of my favorite parts of this journey was getting to be with them the afternoon of the proposal. After waking up at the crack of dawn to beat Keegan’s family. I arrived at the location they were staying at and spent almost 2 hours walking around the woods trying to find the perfect spot to take photos from. Eventually Keegan and Julia made their way out to the bridge where he was soon going to propose to her. I was terrified Julia would see me hidden in the bushes and I’d ruin the surprise, but Julia and Keegan only had eyes on each other, and I am so grateful I got to capture such a sweet moment between two of my best friends. Soon after I spent the rest of the evening laughing and celebrating with them and their families, which showed me more of how perfect they were together. Their families blended so well together and loved one another in the same way I see Julia and Keegan love each other.
I’m grateful I got to spend the weekend of the proposal eating cookies and popping champagne in celebration, I’m grateful for all the Nintendo switch and guitar hero nights with our friends, I’m grateful for our dogs who are best friends too, and I’m grateful for all the years and memories to come. It has been so fulfilling to see the two of you grow together over the years. I’m so happy knowing my best friend has found the truest kind of love and am so excited to watch you two blossom as husband and wife.
Please join me in raising a glass, to my best friend and hers. I’m so excited to see what this next chapter has in store for the both of you and I wish a lifetime of happiness to two of the most admirable people I know.
To Julia and Keegan Bartrom!”